Ranking the Discography: Yes Part VII: Relayer (1974)

Prior to recording Relayer, Yes auditioned eight keyboardists to replace Rick Wakeman (including composer Vangelis, a frequent collaborator with Jon Anderson). They finally settled on Patrick Moraz, who was previously a member of Refugee (a prog rock band that only recorded one album). The album reached #4 in the UK and #5 in the US. This would become Moraz’s only studio album with Yes, although he did record 3 live albums with them. The album was produced by Eddie Offord.

Members:

Jon Anderson: vocals, acoustic guitar, piccolo, percussion

Steve Howe: acoustic and electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, electric sitar, backing vocals

Chris Squire: bass guitar, backing vocals

Patrick Moraz: piano, electric piano, Hammond organ, Minimoog, mellotron

Alan White: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

1. “The Gates of Delirium”: This suite was inspired by Tolstoy’s War and Peace. The final part of the suite, “Soon”, was released as a single. I love the rise and fall of this song. White’s drumming is excellent in the While each part was recorded separately, it still feels cohesive. The finale is my favorite part of the song, with quiet ripples from Howe.
2. “Sound Chaser”: This song brings in Moraz’s jazz and fusion influences, creating a song that feels very chaotic. He and Howe work well together.
3. “To Be Over”: The final track has wonderful improvisation from Moraz.

Final Verdict: This is another classic, with some great input from Moraz. It feels chaotic at times, but it all works.

Grade: A

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Ranking the Discography: Yes Part VI: Tales From Topographic Oceans (1973)

Tales From Topographic Oceans is Yes’s first double album, and their first concept album, based on the four shastras of Hinduism: the sruti, the smriti, puranas, and tantras. It was the first studio album to feature Alan White, who replaced Bill Bruford during their tour for Close to the Edge, and some of his performances were included on their first live album, Yessongs. Rick Wakeman left the band due to frustration during the recordings, beginning his solo career with Journey to the Center of the Earth. The album went to #1 in the UK, and #6 in the US.

Members:

Jon Anderson: vocals, harp, percussion

Steve Howe: guitar, electric sitar, lute, backing vocals

Chris Squire: bass, backing vocals

Rick Wakeman: keyboards

Alan White: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

1. “The Revealing Science of God (Dance of the Dawn)”: Six minutes were originally cut from this song to make it fit on the vinyl. It’s got some awesome soloing from Howe.
2. “The Remembering (High the Memory)”: Some beautiful lute and sitar passages on this, and great bass pumps.
3. “The Ancients (Giants Under the Sun)”: Howe and Wakeman rule on this track.
4. “Ritual (Nous Sommes du Soleil)”: This is White’s time to shine, with some great rhythmic flushes.

Review: I don’t get the reception for this album. I agree with Rolling Stone, but seriously, a paltry 2.2 from Pitchfork? (What kind of rating is a .2? ) The album is definitely among Yes’s best, and I love Dean’s stunning artwork.

Grade: A

Ranking the Discography: Yes part 5: Close to the Edge (1972)

Close to the Edge is the final album Yes to be featured in 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, and produced by Eddy Offord. The album reached #4 in the UK and #3 in the US. It was also Bill Bruford’s final album. According to Anderson, Herman Hesse’s Siddhartha inspired much of the album.

Members:

Jon Anderson: Vocals

Steve Howe: guitar, electric sitar, steel guitar, backing vocals

Chris Squire: bass, backing vocals

Rick Wakeman: keyboards

Bill Bruford: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

1. “Close to the Edge”: This suite is divided into four parts: “The Solid Times of Change” (6:04) “Total Mass Retain” (2:23)–released as a single, “I Get Up, I Get Down” (5:45), and “Seasons of Man” (4:31). It starts with beautiful nature sounds for four minutes. The whole band sounds excellent, but I especially like Rick’s keys. The lyrics are inspired by a dream. Parts of it are in 12/8.
2. “And You and I”: The second suite is also divided into four parts: “Cord of Life” (3:46), “Eclipse” (2:30), “The Preacher, The Teacher, and “Apocalypse” (0:47). It features some excellent folksy melodies on steel guitar. Parts of it are in 3/4 time.
3. “Siberian Khatru”: This is the shortest song on the album, and the only one that isn’t a suite. “Khatru” means “as you wish” in Yemeni Arabian. It’s a song about unity in all cultures, and is often an opening number at concerts. I love its orchestral progression.

Final Verdict: This album is a masterpiece, even if its cover is kind of bland.

Grade: A

Ranking the Discography: Yes Part IV: Fragile (1971)

Fragile is an album with three firsts. It was the first album to have a cover by Roger Dean, and feature the iconic Yes logo. It’s also the first album to feature Rick Wakeman, who replaced founding keyboardist Tony Kaye due to his reluctance to use electronic keyboards.

Members:

Jon Anderson: vocals

Steve Howe: guitars, backing vocals

Chris Squire: bass, backing vocals

Rick Wakeman: Hammond organ, grand piano, RMI 368 Electra-Piano and Harpsichord, Mellotron, and Minimoog synthesizer

Bill Bruford: drums, percussion

The Tracks:

1. “Roundabout”: This is a collaborative song written by both Anderson and Howe. It was inspired by the several roundabouts that the band travelled through on the previous tour while in Scotland. I love how each member gets a chance to show off and how quietly it starts.
2. “Cans and Brahms”: This is an arrangement of the third movement of Brahms’ 4th symphony, arranged by Wakeman. It allows him to show off his prowess on all his instruments.
3. “We Have Heaven”: This short vocal is almost cacophonic.
4. “South Side of the Sky: Anderson claims this song is about climbing mountains. It has a beautiful intro with soft winds and Thunder before Wakeman starts his piano and more harmonies.
5. “Five per Cent For Nothing”: This gets its title from the departure of the band’s original manager, Roy Flynn, who had negotiated a deal that gave him five percent of their earnings. It’s the only song written by Bruford, and also their shortest (only 39 seconds)
6. “Long Distance Runaround”: This song was originally a B-side, but became a surprise hit. Anderson wrote it as a criticism of religious hypocrisy.
7. “The Fish (Schindleria Praematurus)”: This is Squire’s solo track, named after a prehistoric fish Anderson found in Guiness’ Book of World Records.
8. “Mood For a Day”: This is the album’s second instrumental, this time an acoustic track performed by Howe.
9. “Heart of the Sunrise”: The album closes with its longest track, inspired by being lost in the city. Like many of the songs, it starts off quietly and rises to lush instrumentation.

Final Verdict: An excellent album that shows that even with such a huge change, Yes can still produce a masterpiece.

Grade: A+

Ranking the Discography: Yes Part III: The Yes Album (1971)

The Yes Album marked the first lineup change for Yes, as Steve Howe replaced Peter Banks during the tour for Time and a Word. It was the last album to feature Tony Kaye until 90125. It reached #4 in the UK, and #40 in the US.

Members:

Jon Anderson: Vocals, percussion

Steve Howe: guitar, laúd, vocals

Chris Squire: bass, vocals

Tony Kaye: piano, organ, Moog synthesizer

The Tracks:

1. “Yours is No Disgrace”: This is an excellent opener. Howe is a much different guitarist from Banks, and I like him better.
2. “The Clap”: Howe gets a short number all to himself to show off his skills.
3. “Starship Trooper”: This 3-part suite is my favorite song on the album, with some excellent work from all members, with some unique distortion techniques on Howe’s guitar.
4. “I’ve Seen All Good People”: This suite features Howe on both guitar and a Spanish lute called a laúd. It’s beautiful, and Squire has a great bass solo towards the end.
5. “A Venture: Kaye has a nice jazzy piano solo on this.
6. “Perpetual Change”: Like ” Starship Trooper”, this song also features a sci-fi theme and has a nice polyrhythmic feel.

Final Verdict: This album feels more like the Yes I know and love, with a noticeable difference between Howe and Banks.

Grade: A